Starting a Horse with Attraction 5 of 5: Targeting Under Saddle

This is Raleigh's third time under saddle. I've been trying an experiment with him where I train him using predominantly pressure-free, attraction-based techniques. How do you teach a horse to go forward without kicking, cropping or using any pressure? By targeting a ball in front of him, he's attracted to something to move towards, instead of moving away from something unpleasant behind him (like a crop or kick). I first taught him to pick things up in his mouth when I taught him to paint. That's where he learned to hold a brush, ball, and other objects. Lots more about targeting and attraction at: http://paintinghorse.wordpress.com/

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• targeting
• attraction
• raleigh
• ball
• clydesdale

[paintingHorse]

The signals were very clear. He already knew the verbal cue for walk forward without a rider, and the act of throwing the ball was designed to attract him (to allow him to move toward something that feels good) into walking forward with a rider instead of using pressure, force, fear or intimidation (making him move away from something that feels bad). Because of these methods he has become a complete joy and an interactive partner willing to do anything asked of him.

[MultiJackCarver]

Are you fucking retarded? What... instead of giving him clear signals you are just going to throw a ball when you want to go somewhere? I hope he crushes you.

[Treasure3167]

totally cool! I'm so going to try this someday. :-)

[ritzydoodle]

What a great concept. targeting a ball!

[The06daniels]

this is amazing!

[Lucy04574]

Lovely! Absolutely wonderful work with targeting and +R!!!

Bravo to you!

[dcbird]

amazing! there's no sign of stress and wouldn't believe it's his third time under saddle if it wasn't you posting. Best regards from David and Laylah in Scotland.